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Theater & Drama at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,973/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #153 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Theater & Drama graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $464K $466K $439K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 13.2x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.9x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,456
Out-of-state: $78,608 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,236
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,359
15.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,722
99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northwestern State University of Louisiana's Theater & Drama graduates start at $16,973/yr, trailing the $21,147 national average by 20%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 13.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Theater & Drama career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.3x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #153 ranking among 270 Theater & Drama programs places Northwestern State University of Louisiana in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $16,973-to-$33,722 earnings arc over five years reflects a 99% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Northwestern State University of Louisiana

A 94% acceptance rate means Northwestern State University of Louisiana is accessible to most applicants, serving 5,840 students in Natchitoches, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana →

Top Career Paths

Producers and directors $83,480/yr
Fashion designers $80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 270 schools offering Theater & Drama →

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Saint Mary's College of California ($38,160) University of Notre Dame ($37,531) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) University of South Dakota ($33,852) The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($33,169) Carnegie Mellon University ($32,967) University of Colorado Boulder ($32,142)

Other Majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,935) Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General ($59,186) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($58,627) Accounting and Related Services ($48,895) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,908) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($46,458) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($45,639) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($39,282)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Theater & Drama at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Theater & Drama programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Theater & Drama degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
At $21,359 in median debt, graduates carry 15 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana a good choice for Theater & Drama despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Northwestern State University of Louisiana's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →